Floyd Mayweather and Saul Alvarez ready to go head to head at MGM in Las Vegas on Saturday

The bejewelled fight king of Sin City Floyd Mayweather Jnr puts his coveted
mantle as "best boxer on the planet" under detailed scrutiny on Saturday
night against the youth, power and size of Mexican star Saul Alvarez, the
sport’s rising star.

Fight night: Floyd Mayweather and Saul Alvarez are set for a huge pay day after their matchup in Las Vegas on SaturdayPhoto: GETTY IMAGES

Mayweather’s mantra remains his unbeaten record – currently at 44-0, with 26 knockouts – and carries vast experience into his 22nd world championship title contest. 'Money' Mayweather, who will earn a minimum of £26 million for this fight has ten world titles in five weight classes rising from 130lbs to 154lbs. At 36, however, age is not on his side.

A master of mind games and braggadocio, Mayweather consistently refers to himself as “young", "fly", and "flashy" but that may go out of the window for this encounter. His experience, ability to land punches efficiently and accurately, allied with his defensive brilliance, will be key in this chess-like game. He is expected to fight on the outside, move and use his fast jab and countering skills, notably his right cross, to come out on top.

Alvarez, 23, is a naturally bigger man, his style based on his talent as a fluid combination puncher. The youngest of seven boxing brothers, and unbeaten in 42 professional bouts himself, including ten title fights, Alvarez is technically proficient, fast, relentless and explosive. He will target the body, and wearing Mayweather out through work rate. It is conceivable that ‘Canelo’ – so called because of his cinnamon red hair – could catch and hurt Mayweather and for that, this matchup represents the old school fighter’s toughest test since he fought Oscar De La Hoya in the same ring at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in 2007.

De La Hoya arguably beat Mayweather six years ago – with judge Tom Kaczmarek certainly seeing it that way as he sided with De La Hoya by 115-113 in a split decision victory over ‘Golden Boy’ – and although Alvarez has size on his side he is just below his promoter in pure boxing class and, possibly, handspeed.

In all but power, Mayweather has the technical, and superior, gifts as a fighter.

Those siding with Alvarez cite his youth, hunger, and indeed, whether Mayweather can be made to age during the fight if Alvarez can force the pace and land with more punches. That said, Mayweather has shown few signs of physical decline.

“If the game plan is to keep pressure, I can handle it. If the game plan is to out box me, nobody can out box me. You have to be able to out match me mentally, and I’m the strongest mental fighter in the sport of boxing,” espoused Mayweather this week.

“I’ve been here before so I know what it takes. He’s 42-0, but he hasn’t faced 42 Floyd Mayweathers. I’m at the pinnacle. I’m the face of boxing and I’m dedicated to my craft.”

The bigger picture, business-wise, to this superfight is Mayweather’s new six-fight contract with television company Showtime. Opponents are carefully studied and selected, then made to follow the piper.

Contractually, Alvarez has been forced to corral his thick set frame and neck into making 152lbs for the fight, two pounds lighter than the normal light-middleweight weight he has been fighting at. It begs the question as to whether the Mexican can retain his strength and perform to the top of his game.

Mayweather is likely to fight behind the jab, allow Alvarez to attack, and then counter his young foe. Mayweather will rely on his slickness defensively to avoid trouble in those exchanges.

Yet style-wise, nonetheless, Alvarez should suit Mayweather, the sport’s greatest fighter of the last decade. “When you fight Floyd you have to be ready for every aspect of a fight,” insists Alvarez. “You have to be able to adjust mentally as well as physically. I have to be very, very smart and ready to change my plan at any time.

“We’ve prepared like never before. Floyd is a fighter who throws five power punches a round and he lands them – that’s why he wins rounds.

“It’s important from the opening bell to fight smart and not fall into his game plan. He’s a very good counterpuncher but I’m ready for that. It’s important to throw combinations. You have to know how to apply them and you have to hit the head and the body. That will be the key.”

Mayweather has won two titles at light middleweight – against De La Hoya and Miguel Cotto – and his knowledge of the ring should see him through this by unanimous points decision. Yet huge anticipation and excitement has brought this fight to fever pitch; if the flame-haired Mexican can pull off the victory – which no one has managed in 17 years – boxing will be celebrating a newly crowned prince of the sport.